Israel eases Gaza blockade, but UN says aid falls far short

Israel has permitted limited humanitarian aid into Gaza after an 11-week blockade, citing efforts to pressure Hamas over alleged aid diversion. However, UN officials warn the shipments are insufficient to address the enclave’s crisis.

On Monday, just nine UN trucks were cleared to enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing a fraction of what’s needed, according to Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian affairs under-secretary-general. “This is a drop in the ocean,” he said, urging Israel to dramatically scale up access starting Tuesday.

Fletcher stressed that sporadic aid deliveries cannot replace sustained, unimpeded access for civilians in desperate need.

To curb looting, he called for regular aid flows, multiple entry routes, and commercial shipments to supplement relief efforts.

The partial reopening follows mounting international pressure over Gaza’s worsening hunger and medical shortages.

Yet with over 2 million Palestinians facing extreme deprivation, the UN insists far more action is needed.